Book Review – Breathers: A Zombie’s Lament (2009)

breathers

Heads: They’re not just for holding up hats. They’re also used for thinking and reading! I do like to read, I’m just usually short on time like everybody is. When it comes down to choosing what to do with a short amount of free time, I usually choose to either watch an action movie or read what is written on the walls of Left 4 Dead 2. However, when a book starts off – and by start off I’m talking about first page – with a guy looking into his refrigerator and seeing his parents staring back at him, I know I’ve got to read it!

Breathers: A Zombie’s Lament by S.G. Browne is about the undead, from the unique perspective of the undead. Put on a rain coat because you’re taken inside Andy Warner’s head, and it’s messy in there. He became a zombie after he died in a car wreck and takes you on a journey of fighting for zombies’ civil rights. Breathers isn’t your ordinary zombie story. But if you haven’t read it, then you may not understand what I mean. It’s not about a zombie outbreak by virus or attacks. It’s about people who have passed away in one way or another and are then “reanimated” into zombies. This is a great story about zombies struggling to live in a world full of humans (breathers) and abide by their rules. S. G. Browne masterfully balances action, love, and comedy, all the while sending a message about equality. Well done, Browne!

If you like zombies, Breathers is a great book to pick up. It makes you think about something other than just blasting a zombie in the head. It has a great story and actually goes somewhere you might not expect. In fact, Breathers is so good, it got picked up by Fox Searchlight Pictures to become a movie. Diablo Cody and Mason Novik are co-producing and the script is being adapted by Geoff La Tulippe. I’m a little relieved Cody isn’t writing the script, knowing how similarly she tends to write the dialogue for everyone. So I am looking forward to see what they do with the film.  Stay tuned for more details!

This is the Action Flick Chick, and you’ve just been kicked in the ass!

External links:
* Author S. G. Browne’s official website
* Author on twitter (@s_g_browne)
* Book’s official website

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About Action Flick Chick

Action Flick Chick Katrina Hill, author of the books Action Movie Freak and 100 Greatest Graphic Novels , learned to appreciate all things action at a young age by sneaking into the room while her two older brothers watched action movies and horror. At ActionFlickChick.com, she shares her love of these films with everyone, along with interviews, news, and whatever else she happens to choose. G4TV crowned her their Next Woman of the Web champion, and she co-hosted MTV Geek’s live Comic-Con coverage. Her articles have appeared at sites including MTV.com, io9.com, Arcade Sushi, and Newsarama. Follow her as @ActionChick on Twitter. Base of operations: Dallas, Texas. Favorite Movie: Tremors (1990).
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2 Responses to Book Review – Breathers: A Zombie’s Lament (2009)

  1. Slickriptide says:

    Interesting recommendation. I seem to remember hearing something about this book when it was first announced. Guess I’ll see about grabbing a copy.

    No action rating, though? ;-p

  2. Christopher says:

    Love this book. Made my best of list for last year 🙂

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